Sanctuary Cities

Then the Lord said to Joshua: "Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood." -Joshua 20:1-3

The first sanctuary cities were thousands of years ago and commanded by God. Back in those days, it was perfectly okay to kill someone who killed your family member. But sometimes stuff happens and someone dies by your hand unintentionally. And his brother is coming to get you! God's law allowed for someone in these circumstances to go to a city of refuge.The avenger is not allowed to follow you there and you are safe until you stand trial.

Today, our sanctuary cities are for undocumented immigrants. They are cities who have decided to limit their cooperation with the national government effort to enforce immigration law. The reasoning behind this is to make it so the immigrant is not afraid to report crimes, use health and social services and enroll their children in school for fear of deportation.

Illegal immigration is a complicated issue. Walls, and summary round-ups and deportations are not the answer. Jesus made it clear that we are to treat the stranger in our land with the same kindness and respect that we would treat anyone else. Sanctuary cities make this possible.

No matter how you feel about our immigration problem, immigrants- whether undocumented or just plain "illegal"- deserve to be treated humanely.

God of Foreigners,

 Help us to find the right ways to bring in those who want to live here and make them productive members of society. Amen.